WASHINGTON — Democrats won majorities in the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, but they will not have veto-proof margins when the new Congress meets in January, according to a States Newsroom report carried by more than 20 state newsrooms^1,2,27.

That arithmetic means Democratic leaders and President Donald Trump would have to agree on legislation for most bills to become law, the report said, or face blocked measures and possible government shutdowns when Congress funds the government^1,3.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become speaker, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to seek majority leader, States Newsroom reported^1,4. Trump, speaking Wednesday at a White House ballroom construction site, said he will “get along, probably, with the Democrats unless they want to be destructive”¹.

Trump also said he was not concerned about a third impeachment effort and that he has the veto^1,5. Jeffries told reporters he had not had a House Democrat raise impeachment with him and that the caucus was focused on affordability and accountability^1,6.

Schumer listed cost of living, government corruption and a check on the administration, including the war in Iran, as priorities¹. He said Democrats would use must-pass funding bills to set limits on the administration and the war, without saying how they would obtain Trump’s signature^1,5. Trump said the Iran war would continue until he wanted it to end¹.

Jeffries said Democrats would seek common ground if it produced change on affordability, and that the House to-do list starts with reversing Medicaid changes in Republicans’ large tax-and-spending law and restoring enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that lapsed^1,6. He did not treat impeachment of Trump or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as an immediate plan¹.

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., said a Democratic House would hold hearings and try to pass limits on artificial intelligence and data centers, calling the current approach a mistake¹. Schumer did not say whether Democrats would try to end the Senate filibuster, which still requires 60 votes to advance most bills unless the rule changes^1,6.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune plans to stay as his party’s leader, now in the minority, States Newsroom reported¹. House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to leave leadership; Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio are running for the top House GOP post, with a vote expected in mid-November^1,2. Trump said he would stay out of that race¹.

The Baltimore Banner, in separate reporting, said Maryland officials want a Democratic Congress to reverse federal job, research, SNAP and health-subsidy cuts that they say hit the state hard²⁵. Rep. Jamie Raskin, described as in line to chair House Judiciary, said he wants Medicaid, ACA credit and SNAP restorations early in the session²⁵.

A Philadelphia Inquirer opinion column by Michael Gottesman argued Democrats should treat governing on household costs as the first job and not make impeachment the defining project, noting removal would still need two-thirds of the Senate²⁶. That is commentary, not an official party position²⁶.